Why does BMW still insist on using single piston calipers? I am not saying that they need to put huge 8-pots up front, but they have to know that brakes have been the Achilles heel of M cars for the last 10 years.

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E90Fleet
Thanks for the info. Will the 18s be gunmetal only? Do you think the M3 sedan will will have different wheels than the E92 M3? I am also concerned about single piston. The M boys need to follow Porche's example in regards to brakes.

Of course I am reading. The less good the damn flow of information gets the more I want to read this forum. Not sure why you want to make sure I in particular read it though...

Anyway brakes: All I ever said was that the E92 M3 brakes in the front look identical to the E60 M5 front brakes and that was my basis for believing the fronts were dual piston. I still contend they look awfully similar but in retrospect probably not identical. I think I see some subtle differences (ignore the "aftermarket M sticker on the M5 caliper...). I suppose this is a bit disappointing. Sure seems like BMWs best choice, since they wont go "aftermarket" as OEM, would have been the M5 calipers. On the bright side I do think the huge ducts on the front bumper cover indicate a increased emphasis on brake cooling for the M3. With proper cooling these lowly single piston units could be just fine on the track. If not there will be plenty of great aftermarket solutions that simultaneously address performance and looks.

Why does BMW still insist on using single piston calipers? I am not saying that they need to put huge 8-pots up front, but they have to know that brakes have been the Achilles heel of M cars for the last 10 years.

It seems enough for daily driving and track driving, unless all-out racing. The main problem at the track is brake fading due to the heat. Floating rotor works well to mitigates the heat issue.

Single piston calipers ( 2 piston on M5 and M6 ) apperently work best for 91% of BMW's M Customers

So thats why they fit them

Maybe I do not drive my E46 M3 as hard as some of you guys (those top 9% E90Fleet apparently fits into), but the calipers themselves have never seemed to me to be a weak point of the car. I had no issues with repeated hard braking from 120-130 for turn 5 at Road America, which is a second-gear turn at the bottom of a fairly steep hill.

All I did to "prepare" the car was to remove the brake duct panels, install stainless steel lines, and replace the pads and fluid.

I think multi piston setups are not necessary in the E46 M; no one outside BMW knows yet about the E92 of course.

To me, Brembos and similar setups are more for bling than performance in non-race applications. They are expensive, add weight, and have little real benefit under most conditions, including DE-type conditions.

You know why I wanted you to see that. We went back and forth on it awhile back. You swore up and down it would be two piston. Just giving you a hard time.

No worries, we can't all be right all the time!

Our "back and forth" was small enough and friendly enough (i.e. forgetable) that I had to dig back through to find it. I stand by what I said then. The calipers do look nearly identical to the M5 calipers and it would make a great deal of cost sense for BMW to use that identical caliper on the M3. I think also, at that time it was THE best guess to say they were probably dual piston. If they chose to use a single piston instead (still sort of a rumor I guess at this point IMO) I sure hope they have some good reason to do so. Maybe it is the caliper from the 335i? I am not all that excited about that car (because I drove it ) so I don't worry about knowing little details like what the brakes look like.

Our "back and forth" was small enough and friendly enough (i.e. forgetable) that I had to dig back through to find it. I stand by what I said then. The calipers do look nearly identical to the M5 calipers and it would make a great deal of cost sense for BMW to use that identical caliper on the M3. I think also, at that time it was THE best guess to say they were probably dual piston. If they chose to use a single piston instead (still sort of a rumor I guess at this point IMO) I sure hope they have some good reason to do so. Maybe it is the caliper from the 335i? I am not all that excited about that car (because I drove it ) so I don't worry about knowing little details like what the brakes look like.

Swamp, what color is your E36 M3????

Love that car, my bud use to have a silver 1998 E36 M3 and it was the car that began my desire to own a bimmer.........

Love that car, my bud use to have a silver 1998 E36 M3 and it was the car that began my desire to own a bimmer.........

Mine is red. That odd red I don't know the name for that looks really not red under Mercury street lamps. The car that got me going was the original E30 M3 in red as well. I wanted a silver E36 M3 but found a good deal on this one. E92 M3 will be space grey for sure. Cheers.

I find the brakes hugely dissapointing. What's wrong with 8 piston calipers that would scare away customers? The RS4 brakes are brilliant and VERY userfriendly, certainly much better then a 911 or Cayman? Come on BMW, get your act together.

Why does BMW still insist on using single piston calipers? I am not saying that they need to put huge 8-pots up front, but they have to know that brakes have been the Achilles heel of M cars for the last 10 years.

are you kidding me? the e36 was and still is a very good performer int he braking department. find me another stock car that can stop from 60-0 in 112-113ft.

if i remember right bmw has said that they use single piston calipers because anything else isn't really necessary. even hardcore track guys with e36 M3s don't need to change to a bbk until they get into modded classes.

now the e46 M3 is a bit heavier and does suffer a bit for braking, but it's not the fault of the single piston calipers.